Biomaterial Database

Antibacterial activity of human cervical mucus. 1975

H Zuckerman, and A Kahana, and S Carmel

The antimicrobial property of human uterine cervical mucus was tested in three groups of women. Healthy women, using no contraception, women using an intrauterine device and women receiving hormonal treatment for contraception. Cervical mucus was taken on the 10th, 14th, 18th and 22nd day of the menstrual cycle. Cervical mucus had a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of Micrococcus lysodeicticus in all three groups. The strength of the inhibitory effect on the other microorganisms were in the following order: Staphylococcus albus, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Streptococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus faecalis. Use of an intrauterine device did not affect the antimicrobial effect of cervical mucus. The use of hormonal contraceptive canceled the antimicrobial effect on the series of microorganisms, with the exception of M. lysodeicticus. The maximum inhibitory effect occurred on the 14th day and declined toward the end of the menstrual cycle.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007434	Intrauterine Devices	Contraceptive devices placed high in the uterine fundus.	Contraceptive Devices, Intrauterine,Contraceptive IUD,Contraceptive IUDs,IUD, Unmedicated,Unmedicated IUDs,Contraceptive Device, Intrauterine,Device, Intrauterine,Device, Intrauterine Contraceptive,Devices, Intrauterine,Devices, Intrauterine Contraceptive,IUD, Contraceptive,IUDs, Contraceptive,Intrauterine Contraceptive Device,Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices,Intrauterine Device,Unmedicated IUD
D008598	Menstruation	The periodic shedding of the ENDOMETRIUM and associated menstrual bleeding in the MENSTRUAL CYCLE of humans and primates. Menstruation is due to the decline in circulating PROGESTERONE, and occurs at the late LUTEAL PHASE when LUTEOLYSIS of the CORPUS LUTEUM takes place.
D008837	Micrococcus	A genus of gram-positive, spherical bacteria found in soils and fresh water, and frequently on the skin of man and other animals.
D011513	Proteus mirabilis	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that is frequently isolated from clinical specimens. Its most common site of infection is the urinary tract.
D002176	Candida albicans	A unicellular budding fungus which is the principal pathogenic species causing CANDIDIASIS (moniliasis).	Candida albicans var. stellatoidea,Candida stellatoidea,Dematium albicans,Monilia albicans,Myceloblastanon albicans,Mycotorula albicans,Parasaccharomyces albicans,Procandida albicans,Procandida stellatoidea,Saccharomyces albicans,Syringospora albicans
D002582	Cervix Mucus	A slightly alkaline secretion of the endocervical glands. The consistency and amount are dependent on the physiological hormone changes in the menstrual cycle. It contains the glycoprotein mucin, amino acids, sugar, enzymes, and electrolytes, with a water content up to 90%. The mucus is a useful protection against the ascent of bacteria and sperm into the uterus. (From Dictionary of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1988)	Fern Test,Palm-Leaf Reaction,Cervical Mucus,Fern Tests,Mucus, Cervical,Mucus, Cervix,Palm Leaf Reaction,Palm-Leaf Reactions,Reaction, Palm-Leaf,Reactions, Palm-Leaf,Test, Fern,Tests, Fern
D003278	Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal	Oral contraceptives which owe their effectiveness to hormonal preparations.	Hormonal Oral Contraceptive,Hormonal Oral Contraceptive Agent,Contraceptive Agents, Estrogen,Contraceptive Agents, Oral, Hormonal,Hormonal Oral Contraceptive Agents,Oral Contraceptive Agents, Hormonal,Oral Contraceptives, Hormonal,Contraceptive, Hormonal Oral,Contraceptives, Hormonal Oral,Estrogen Contraceptive Agents,Hormonal Oral Contraceptives,Oral Contraceptive, Hormonal
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man